Hou’oli Maka Hiki Hou!   Happy New Years!  What a great 2009 RPCVHI had.  With your participation we have had many successful activities and accomplishments this past year.  Ranging from our first Annual Picnic, Tsunami fundraiser where we raised $1900 for Samoa , Holiday Party Fundraiser for the Hawaii Foodbank raising $2000 and more.  2010 is starting with a bang already.  January activities coming up are Hawaii Food Bank Breakfast Kickoff, Annual Meeting and Board Planning for 2010.  This year you can participate again in the Aids Walk, Hawaii Food Bank, Aloha Medical Mission and more….  We have a lot in store for our members this year. If you not a member I recommend you sign up and help support a worthy organization here in our community.

In our commitment to support currently serving Peace Corps Volunteers we have stepped up our actions.  In 2009 RPCVHI gave out two Aloha grants.  Please see article in this issue about the two Aloha Grants.  RPCVHI has budgeted in 2010 to give out two more grants.  We contact and visit with newly accepted applicants introducing them to our organization and RPCV’s prior to leaving.  We encourage the PCV’s to stay in touch via membership and to apply for the Aloha Grants when ready.  Membership is free during their service in the Peace Corps and for the first year after service.  RPCVHI will also post their letters about their experiences on our website and in our news letters with their permission.  What a great way to keep in touch and be a voice for them and the needs of their communities. In this article you will read about Lauren Biggs’s experience in Mali.  She is a great writer and I am sure you will enjoy it. 

As always we are looking for people to volunteer and serve on committees and on the Board. We need more help in the planning and execution of activities for the 50^th Anniversary of the Peace Corps.  Michael Thomas and Rosemary Casey are co-chairs on Oahu.  On the Big Island we have Bill Sakovitch and Dr. Keith Meiser.

RPCVHI's mission is to support the third goal of the Peace Corps both locally and abroad.  I look forward to our continued success and your participation in a very rewarding group. Hope to see you soon. 

A Hui Hou,

Kimberly Biggs (Honduras, 1986-88)